The 1968 Exhibit

In case you haven’t heard, The 1968 Exhibit is now on view at the Chicago History Museum. This unique traveling exhibition takes a look at one of the most turbulent years in American history and features stories and objects from across the nation. The show, which originated at the Minnesota History Center, is organized as a month-by-month walkthrough of some of the year’s most significant events, from the United States’ increased participation in the Vietnam War and the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to the mayhem that erupted at the Democratic National Convention and the rise of black power.

One of the key stories is of the escalating American casualties in the Vietnam War.In May, activists brought the plight of the nation’s poor to Washington, DC, by erecting Resurrection City on the National Mall.

In addition to examining the difficult realities of the year, The 1968 Exhibit also features the music, culture, and fashion of the time. Inside the galleries, you can test your knowledge of the era’s music, as well as view clips of the year’s most popular films and television shows. Additionally, you can cast your vote for president with a gear-and-lever voting machine and view everyday objects used in typical American households.

Test your knowledge of the music of 1968.

The 1968 Exhibit provides a unique look back at a year that changed the nation. It closes on January 4, 2015, though, so be there or be square.